Definition of Types of Instruction

Definition of Types of Instruction

Mode of Instruction

Definition

Lecture

Organized instruction in a lecture (one way communication) format. May be listed as the sole type of instruction for the course or in combination with laboratory or discussion sessions. Students should plan for two hours of preparation per credit hour each week of the term.

One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.

Recitation

Organized instruction in a recitation (two way communication) format. May be listed as the sole type of instruction for the course or in combination with laboratory sessions. Includes workshops and seminars.

One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.

Discussion

Regularly scheduled discussion session that is offered in addition to lecture instruction but is generally scheduled in smaller groups than the lecture. The type of instruction is only offered in combination with lecture and may not be used as the only type of instruction for a course.

One contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.

Laboratory

Laboratory experiences that require special-purpose equipment for student participation, experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study. May involve discussion of a forthcoming laboratory or review of a completed laboratory session. Includes scheduled laboratory periods as well as laboratory experiences for which times may be selected by individual students.

Two contact hours per week (1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.

Studio

An organized method of instruction with emphasis on the synthesizing nature of the design process and conducted through critique and one-to-one interactions.

Two contact hours per week (1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.

Research

A course that requires independent research on the part of the student.

Hours spent on course per week may vary from week to week, though the standard is one contact hour per week (750 minutes per semester) per credit.

Independent Study

Independent projects such as special problems or special topics in which the student works more or less individually at various locations, ordinarily requiring intermittent consultation with the professor.

Hours spent on the course per week may vary from week to week, though the standard is one to two contact hours per week (750-1,500 minutes per semester) per credit.

Supervised Experience

Supervised experience in an area of specialization that may be conducted either on or off campus with the student making periodic reports to the instructor. Includes practicum, internship, student teaching, and cooperative work experience.

Contact hours may vary, but the minimum standard of 750 contact minutes per semester per credit applies.

Affiliated Programs

Courses offered as part of programs operated in conjunction with other universities or research laboratories at sites other than UNI, but for which students register for credit through UNI. Includes Lakeside Laboratory course and international study courses with the title of Study Abroad.

Course Credit Expectation

An academic semester contains 15 weeks (approximately 75 days) of instruction. Students enrolled in courses whose mode of instruction is lecture/discussion-based should expect to have 15 hours of class contact over the length of the semester for each hour of credit available. Students should plan to spend two hours of preparation per credit hour each week of the term. Students enrolled in courses whose mode of instruction is activity-based should expect to have 30 hours of class contact over the length of the semester for each hour of credit available. Students enrolled in courses offered on a shorter-term basis should expect their class contact to be proportionally increased to be comparable with semester long course expectations.

Prepared by the University of Northern Iowa Office of the Registrar, and based upon the definitions of the "Carnegie Unit" and the "Student Hour" as established by the Carnegie Foundation.